Abraham Lincoln QB Gabe Smalley eyes finishing his career a champion
Tagged under: District 12, News, pfn, Playoffs
Anthony Franklin | November 10, 2023
The Abraham Lincoln Railsplitters entered the PL 6A semi-finals with a 4-5 record including 1 forfeit loss due to an altercation during their victory over Northeast. The extra week off gave them rest and preparation for their playoff run. In the quarterfinals they ran through and past Academy of Palumbo 65-6. They followed that performance with a great 48-0 shutout win over South Philadelphia. Lincoln would jump out to a quick 14-0 1st quarter lead. Behind 2 Gabe Smalley touchdown passes. They’d extend the lead to 17-0 off the feat of Gabe as he nailed a 25-yard FG that had enough distance for an extra 10 yards. He’d account for a rushing TD to give his team a 25-0 lead and finally cap off the first half scoring with a 35-yard touchdown pass to give Lincoln a 31-0 halftime lead. From there they’d tack on 4 more touchdowns enroute to an 48-0 shutout win and stamp their ticket back to the Public League 6A championship game.
Last year Lincoln entered the 6A Public League Championship a slight underdog but jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but the more seasoned Vikings buckled down and got the victory by scoring 19 unanswered points. Lincoln is in search of their first PL title since 1979 and should be favorites to win this weekend based on their last matchup in the regular season with Northeast which was a 37-0 victory. Gabe Smalley leads the Railsplitters as the signal caller and a team captain. In the semifinals he tossed 4 touchdown passes & rushed for an additional score while kicking a field goal.
Gabe previously starred at Academy of Palumbo but due to the traveling distance he opted to transfer closer to home at Lincoln for his senior year. Gabe when asked about his time at Lincoln states “It’s been amazing, the season started off slow & we played some super tough teams but as the weeks went on our team grew closer & got better. My teammates & coaches are the biggest reason I’m even having success. They brought me in & trusted me with the keys to the team. Those games against those tougher teams (Imhotep, Downingtown West, Roman Catholic, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) made us better, our energy as a team has improved so much which has made us better in every aspect. By playing those teams it showed us we could really compete with anyone.”
As Lincoln prepares for the championship game Gabe states “The mood for this upcoming week is definitely excitement but the team is extremely focused. The atmosphere in the locker room hasn’t changed from the last few weeks in which we’re going to keep the momentum moving.” Gabe wanted to emphasize in thanking his parents for inspiring him to keep pushing and grind through anything, when adversity arrives, no matter what trust in my ability”. He also wanted to thank the coaches & his teammates for trusting in him. As for what happens after these last 2 HS games Gabe says he has no offers yet but trust the process will play itself out. “College Coaches should know that they’re not just getting a player & Quarterback in me but that they’re getting a difference maker & leader. Anything & everything I do, I do it 100% and to my best ability.
Lincon started the season with 3 goals, win the Public League title, win the Thanksgiving Day game & the City Title. The program hasn’t accomplished any of those feats in over 20 years. Their last turkey day win came in 1989, the last Public League title came in 1979 and the last city title win came in 1958. The first of those goals begins Saturday when they take on Northeast. The Railsplitters made the 6A finals last season, jumped out early to an 14-0 lead but fell just short 19-14 as the Vikings won their 6th consecutive Public League title. Lincoln despite their regular season romp over Northeast eyes taking home the trophy and celebrating post game as champions so they’re focused on the task at hand and not the results of the previous games.
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